>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN.

COMING UP PRESIDENT BIDEN UNVEILS HIS INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN, WE'LL GET THE LATEST FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND THE GUN CONTROL DEBATE REIGNITES.

NEXT.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR FRONT ROW IS PROVIDED BY: ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY: FUNDING FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND PROVIDED BY: A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT: IT'S FRONT ROW WITH HOST MARC ROTTERMAN.

>> WELCOME BACK JOINING THE CONVERSATION, MITCH KOKAI WITH CAROLINA JOURNAL, COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT DONNA KING, POLITICAL ANALYST JOE STEWART AND NELSON DOLLAR SENIOR ADVISER TO NORTH CAROLINA SPEAKER HOUSE.

MITCH WHY DON'T WE BEGIN WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S NEW SPENDING PLAN.

>> NOT LONG AFTER WINNING SUPPORT FOR 1.9 TRILLION DOLLAR PLAN TO DEAL WITH COVID-19 RELIEF, THE PRESIDENT PIVOTED TO HIS BIG INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.

PART OF THE BUILDING BACK BETTER PLAN THAT HE PUT FORWARD.

WE HAD INITIALLY HEARD REPORTS THAT THIS COULD BE AS HIGH AS 3 TRILLION DOLLARS AS IT TURNS OUT THE PLAN THAT WAS UNVEILED IN PITTSBURGH THIS WEEK WAS WELL MORE THAN 2 TRILLION DOLLARS.

IT DEALS WITH THINGS LIKE ROADS, WATERWAYS AND AIRPORTS BUT ALSO THE ELECTRIC GRID, AND ALSO DEALING WITH THINGS LIKE BROADBAND, AND IT'S BEING TOUTED BY THE PRESIDENT IS SOMETHING AKIN TO THE NEW DEAL OR THE SPACE RACE, A MAJOR INVESTMENT, IT WOULD TAKE UP ABOUT ONE PERCENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR THE NEXT 8 YEARS AND PART OF THE PLAN IS SOME TAX INCREASES TO GO ALONG WITH IT.

A TAX INCREASE ON THE CORPORATE SIDE FROM 21% TO 28% ALONG WITH INDIVIDUAL TAX INCREASES FOR HOUSEHOLDS MAKING $400,000 OR MORE.

ONE OF THE KEY PARTS OF THE DEBATE RIGHT NOW IS COULD THE PRESIDENT GET THIS PLAN THROUGH CONGRESS IF REPUBLICANS ARE UNITED AGAINST IT AS THEY SEEM TO BE.

HE DOESN'T HAVE MUCH ROOM TO WORK WITH ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

NANCY PELOSI CAN AFFORD TO LOSE ONLY 3 DEMOCRATS TO PASS IT THROUGH THE HOUSE, THEY'LL NEED EVERY DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TO PASS IT AND AT LEAST A COUPLE OF THEM JOE MANCHIN AND KYRSTEN SINEMA HAVE BEEN SKEPTICAL ABOUT TAX INCREASES.

>> YOU KNOW THAT'S A GREAT POINT JOE.

DO YOU THINK THE MODERATES ARE ON BOARD WITH THIS PLAN?

>> I DON'T THINK THEY'RE THERE YET.

YOU KNOW THESE TYPES OF SPENDING PACKAGES HAVE A TENDENCY TO BE FULL OF TUTTI FRUTTI BUBBLE GUM WHEN WHAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED IS A COUPLE BOX OF CHICLETS, AND SO HOPEFULLY CONGRESS WILL SEE THE WISDOM OF PARSING BACK ON SOME OF THE SPENDING ITEMS, AND COME UP WITH A PACKAGE THAT MODERATE DEMOCRATS CAN AGREE TO THAT DON'T NECESSITATE SUCH LARGE TAX INCREASES.

I THINK THEY'RE ALL THINKING ABOUT '22 AND NOT WANTING TO GO AND TALK TO THE VOTERS ABOUT HOW THEY MADE IT MORE EXPENSIVE IN TERMS OF TAX INCREASES DESPITE WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE BENEFICIAL PROJECTS FOR THEIR PARTICULAR DISTRICT OR HOME STATE.

>> DONNA CRITICS SAY THIS IS A TROJAN HORSE FOR THE THE GREEN NEW DEAL.

>> THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE SAYING AND I THINK THERE'S SOME LEGITIMACY TO THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF GROUPS WITHIN CONGRESS RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW COURSE IN THE SENATE YOU CAN ONLY LOSE ONE AND THIS WHOLE THING IS HIJACKED, IN THE HOUSE ONLY THREE.

NANCY PELOSI DOESN'T HAVE MUCH OF A MARGIN FOR ERROR AND ALREADY THERE'S A PROBLEM SOLVERS CAUCUS, MADE UP OF SORT OF A BIPARTISAN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND MOST OF THEM ARE SAYING THEY CANNOT STOMACH A TAX INCREASE, THEY'RE JUST NOT GOING TO DO IT AND THEY'RE ALSO SAYING THAT THEY WANT TO SEE THE SALT TAX STATE AND LOCAL DEDUCTION REINSTATED, SO THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS FOR THIS.

SO IT MAY SEEM LIKE ON PAPER, IT'S YOU KNOW A LOT OF BELLS AND WHISTLES, BUT IT'S GOING TO HAVE A HEAVY LEFT AND SOME PRETTY BIG HEAD WINDS ON CAPITOL HILL.

>> NELSON, THIS IS JUST THE FIRST INSTALLMENT.

HE'S BEEN VERY HE'S BEEN ENCOURAGED TO GO VERY BIG ISN'T HE?

>> YES AND IT USED TO BE TAX AND SPEND AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE SPEND AND TAX THE POLICY DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

I MEAN THE FEDERAL RESERVE JUST ANNOUNCED GDP GROWTH RATES, FOR THE YEAR, UP TO 6.5% LOWERING THEIR ESTIMATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN TO 3.9% FOR 2022, THE FEDS ALSO COMMITTED TO KEEPING RATES NEAR 0 WITH INFLATION EXPECTATIONS ABOUT 2.4%, SO CONDITIONS ARE PERFECT FOR ROBUST ECONOMIC RECOVERY EXCEPT BIDEN AND CONGRESS ARE RESPONDING TO THIS NEWS BY FLOODING THE ECONOMY WITH TRILLIONS MORE IN GOVERNMENT BORROWING, SPENDING AND PLEDGING, AS MITCH SAID, TO RAISE TAXES.

CORPORATE TAXES, RAISING THE GLOBAL MINIMUM TAX RATE, INCREASING CAPITAL GAINS TAXES, ENERGY TAXES, HIGHER TAXES ON MANY OF YOUR SMALL BUSINESSES LLCs AND S-CORPS.

AND OF COURSE, INCREASING THE MARRIAGE TAX PENALTY FOR HIGHER EARNERS.

SO WHAT THIS IS A RECIPE FOR THROTTLING BACK THE PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT WHILE CREATING MONETARY INFLATION.

THIS DOES NOT END WELL.

>> OKAY, I WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THOSE I WANT TO MOVE ON COME RIGHT BACK TO YOU NELSON.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S WEEK MY FRIEND.

>> IT WAS A VERY BUSY WEEK AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE RUN-UP TO THE LEGISLATURE AT EASTER BREAK.

2 MAJOR PIECES OF EDUCATION LEGISLATION PASSED THIS WEEK HOUSE BILL 82, THE SUMMER LEARNING CHOICES FOR NC FAMILY SPONSORED BY SPEAKER MOORE, AND THE SENATE BILL 387, THE EXCELLENT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACT OF 2021 SPONSORED BY SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM PHIL BERGER, SO THE 2 LEADERS ARE FRONT AND CENTER ON EDUCATION THIS WEEK WE ALSO HAD IN THE HOUSE THE EMERGENCY POWERS ACCOUNTABILITY ACT THAT WAS PASSED ON A PARTY-LINE VOTE WHAT THE BILL WOULD DO WAS CLARIFY THE ROLE OF THE COUNCIL STATE STATEWIDE COUNCIL OF STATE, OUR STATEWIDE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN ISSUING AND MAINTAINING STATEWIDE EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS, SO A GOVERNOR CAN'T NECESSARILY KEEP ON GOING FOR A VERY LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

YOU ALSO HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE BY SOME DEMOCRAT MEMBERS INTRODUCING SENATE BILL 4.39, WHICH IS HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT.

THAT LEGISLATION MIRRORED SOME THAT THEY'VE INTRODUCED IN PRIOR SESSIONS THAT WOULD MAKE HATE CRIMES AN ACTUAL FELONY, AND ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE HATE CRIMES DATABASE AND TRAINING BOTH FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR PROSECUTORS.

>> WILL THAT GET A FAIR HEARING YOU THINK?

>> WELL IT'S A VERY CONTENTIOUS ISSUE.

I DO THINK THAT IT THAT ELEMENTS OF THE LEGISLATION MAY BE WRAPPED INTO A BROADER COMPREHENSIVE BILL ON RACIAL JUSTICE ISSUES THAT WERE STUDIED BOTH BY THE GOVERNOR ATTORNEY GENERAL AND BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> DONNA, WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING?

>> WELL OF COURSE I WAS REALLY GLAD TO SEE A FOCUS ON EDUCATION AS A PARENT AND WITH A STUDENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL, I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT SUMMER LEARNING, AND THIS IS SOMETHING YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE LOOKING FORWARD TO AS WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME FOR THESE KIDS TO CATCH UP AFTER HAVING MISSED A YEAR OF SCHOOL.

BUT OF COURSE FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, IT'S ALSO ALL ABOUT THE POCKETBOOK.

AS THE SENATE HAS INTRODUCED THE TAX RELIEF AND RECOVERY ACT WHICH INCREASES THE STANDARD DEDUCTION, INCREASES THE CHILD DEDUCTION AND ALSO LOWERS INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXES SO THAT WILL BE WATCHED VERY CLOSELY, I KNOW THAT REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE ALL SAID THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE TO GET RESOURCES IN THE HANDS OF NORTH CAROLINIANS, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE DEPENDS ON WHAT SIDE OF THE AISLE YOU'RE ON.

BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID THAT MEDICAID EXPANSION WHICH IS SLOWING THE PROCESS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST YEAR TO MAY NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE TIED TO THE BUDGET TO GET A BUDGET THROUGH SO THAT WAS GOOD NEWS COMING FROM THE EXECUTIVE MANSION, CERTAINLY AN EXCITING TIME TO BE THERE AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

>> JOE WEIGH IN HERE PLEASE.

>> INTERESTING, THE LEADERSHIP IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE AMONG THE REPUBLICAN CHAIRS OF THE REQUISITE HEALTH COMMITTEE IS LOOKING A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT WE LEARNED THROUGH COVID ONE THAT'S INTERESTING TO ME IS THE TELEHEALTH MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE AN INTERACTION WITH A MEDICAL PROVIDER USING TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS THIS.

SOME DISCUSSION AND DEBATE ABOUT HOW YOU STRUCTURE THAT APPROPRIATELY IN THE CONTEXT OF INSURANCE AND REIMBURSEMENT RATES AND SUCH, BUT IT IS ONE EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING WE LEARNED FROM THE TERRIBLE SITUATION OF COVID THAT SOME PEOPLE EITHER BECAUSE OF THE CONDITION THAT THEY SUFFER FROM OR JUST A LACK OF ACCESS TO A PARTICULAR MEDICAL PROVIDER ARE WELL SERVED HAVING THAT INTERACTION WITH A DOCTOR THROUGH THIS SORT OF TECHNOLOGY THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCE WILL HAVE SOME REFINEMENTS TO MAKE ON IT, BUT THAT MIGHT BE ONE GOOD THING THAT COMES OUT OF THIS VERY BAD SITUATION.

>> MITCH PUT THIS IN CONTEXT AND CLOSE THIS ABOUT 40 SECONDS MY FRIEND.

>> NELSON, I THINK MENTIONED THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS WHICH WERE THE EDUCATION BILLS AND ALSO THE EMERGENCY POWERS BILL.

I THINK ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS IS THE CONTRAST HERE ON STUFF THAT CAN BE BIPARTISAN AND PROBABLY GET SUPPORT FROM GOVERNOR COOPER AND THE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING TO BE CONTENTIOUS BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

THAT EMERGENCY POWERS BILL IS SOMETHING THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROBABLY IN THE PAST, WOULD'VE PASSED ALMOST UNANIMOUSLY SAYING WE ARE THE DOMINANT BRANCH, AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE THE DOMINANT BRANCH, BUT NOW WITH THE POLARIZED REPUBLICANS VERSUS DEMOCRATS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND ALSO WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, YOU'LL PROBABLY SEE A LOT OF DEMOCRATS VOTE AGAINST THIS TO SUPPORT THEIR GOVERNOR EVEN THOUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE THE DOMINANT BRANCH.

>> DONNA WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TRAGEDY LATELY, BACK TO BACK SHOOTINGS, ACTUALLY 3 NOW HAVE REIGNITED THE GUN DEBATE.

>> IT REALLY HAS AND I THINK THE POLICY ON GUN CONTROL WHEN DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER CAPITOL HILL.

I THINK PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING SOME BUT CERTAINLY THAT PROCESS WAS ACCELERATED WITH SHOOTINGS IN ATLANTA AND IN BOULDER.

SO NOW WE'RE SEEING MUCH MORE LEGISLATION COMING FORWARD AND THE SENATE'S DIANNE FEINSTEIN HAS INTRODUCED A BAN ON 205 DIFFERENT TYPES OF WEAPONS, PARTICULARLY ONES THAT HAVE A MAGAZINE OF 10 ROUNDS, IT'S SPONSORED BY 34 OTHER DEMOCRATS SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE OF THAT MOVING FORWARD.

IT HAS NOT MOVED FORWARD INTO THE SENATE VERY MUCH BUT IT DOES REQUIRE THAT THESE ALL THE LEGISLATION'S BE LISTED AND THAT YOU CAN'T TRANSFER THEM WITHOUT AN FBI BACKGROUND CHECK.

THE HOUSE HAS MOVED TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION, ONE OF THEM IS A BIPARTISAN BACKGROUND CHECK AND IT WOULD CRIMINALIZE PRIVATE GUN SALES WITHOUT A BACKGROUND CHECK.

SO WE'RE SEEING THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE BOTH MOVING THINGS.

THERE'S BEEN SOME RUMOR THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN PERHAPS MIGHT USE HIS EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT SOME SORT OF GUN CONTROL MEASURE, SO THAT SEEMS TO BE SCALING DOWN AS MORE MOVEMENT HAPPENS ON CAPITOL HILL BUT ONE COMMON GROUND YOU MIGHT SEE AT SOME OF THESE RED FLAG LAWS WE'RE SEEING SOME REPUBLICANS AND SOME DEMOCRATS BOTH SAYING THEY CAN GET ON BOARD WITH RED FLAG LAWS OF COURSE THOSE ARE EXPANDING PERMISSION FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO TAKE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE IN A COMPROMISED MENTAL STATE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO CONFISCATE GUNS IN THAT WAY, SO THERE'S BEEN SOME MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THERE BUT WE ARE SEEING A LOT MORE LEGISLATION ON THE HILL.

>> MITCH DOES THE NRA STILL HAVE WHAT THEY ONCE HAD SAY A DECADE AGO?

>> PROBABLY NOT THAT THE AMOUNT OF AUTHORITY AND PERSPECTIVE THAT THEY HAD A DECADE AGO AND THAT'S PARTLY BECAUSE OF SOME PROBLEMS WITHIN THE NRA ITSELF.

THE INTERESTING THING TO ME ABOUT THIS THOUGH IS THE FACT THAT EVERY TIME THERE'S A MAJOR SHOOTING, YOU SEE CALLS FOR GUN CONTROL ON CAPITOL HILL, BUT WE'RE ALSO STILL JUST NOT TOO FAR REMOVED FROM THE DAYS OF RIOTS IN THE STREETS AND SO THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL INTERESTED IN THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES.

WE SEE THIS PLAY OUT IN AT LEAST A DOZEN STATES WHERE LEGISLATURES ARE TALKING ABOUT NUMBIFYING ANY NEW GUN CONTROL MEASURES THAT COME FROM CAPITOL HILL, SO IF GUN CONTROL MOVES FORWARD, THERE COULD BE SOME PUSH BACK.

>> DO YOU THINK TO SOME OF THIS WILL GO TO -- LET'S SAY BIDEN DOES AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, JOE, WILL THAT GO TO THE SUPREME COURT AND BE CHALLENGED YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I THINK IT PROBABLY WILL BE.

THERE WILL BE AS MITCH AND DONNA BOTH MENTIONED.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH STRONG FEELINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE CHALLENGING PUBLIC POLICY MATTERS AND IN A TRUE THERE ARE A LOT OF FACETS OF THIS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS WIDELY AVAILABLE SOMETHING A LOT OF STATES IN PARTICULAR NORTH CAROLINA IS WORKING ON TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING DIFFICULT TIMES WHO MIGHT BE PRONE TO VIOLENCE HAVE ACCESS TO A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE THAT ENSURES THEM THE APPROPRIATE AND PROPER TREATMENT, NOT THAT THAT WILL FORESTALL EVERY INCIDENT LIKE THIS WHERE THE PERSON IS SUFFERING FROM SOME MENTAL CONDITION, BUT AT LEAST LET US CONSIDER THE MANY DIFFERENT THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO ADDRESS THESE ACTS OF VIOLENCE THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY JUST ABOUT THE GUN.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S RIGHT, JOE, YOU KNOW A LOT OF TIMES NELSON, THE POLITICIANS RUN TO THE CAMERA EVERY TIME AND NOTHING EVER GETS DONE.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH RESPECT THE GUN CONTROL?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES ADDRESSED WITH RESPECT TO GUN CONTROL WITHIN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, YOU SAY A NUMBER OF BILLS INTRODUCED.

I DO THINK THAT THE ACTION WILL PROBABLY BE ON CAPITOL HILL WHERE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS WANT TO ACT ON THE ISSUE OF OF GUN VIOLENCE AND CERTAINLY THE QUESTION IS CAN SECOND AMENDMENT ADVOCATES COMPROMISE SO THAT YOU DO FOCUS ON POTENTIAL SHOOTERS RATHER THAN OUTLAWING SEMIAUTOMATIC WEAPONS.

THE RED FLAG BILL THAT DONNA MENTIONED, SENATE BILL 2.92 THAT'S BEEN SPONSORED BY SEN. MARCO RUBIO OUT OF FLORIDA.

SO THESE ISSUES SOMETIMES ARE VERY CONTROVERSIAL, BUT POLLING IS ALSO SHOWING THAT SOME OF THE MEASURES DO ENJOY BROAD PUBLIC SUPPORT.

>> JOE, LOOKS LIKE TRUMP'S GEARING UP FOR ANOTHER RUN OR AT LEAST BE VERY INFLUENTIAL IN 2022.

HE AND HIS ALLIES ARE REALLY CRANKING UP THE FUND RAISING MACHINE.

>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LIKE THE PROUD PARENT OF TRIPLETS, HE'S GOT 3 BABIES HE'S GOT TO RAISE.

THE FIRST BABY IS MONEY.

AND PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS A PROLIFIC FUNDRAISER FOR THE REPUBLICANS DURING HIS TIME IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

RECORD DOLLAR AMOUNTS RAISED AS A RESULT OF SOLICITATIONS THAT CAME FOR THE PRESIDENT, THE SECOND BABY IS FRIENDS AND ALLIES.

USE THE FIRST BABY TO HAVE INFLUENCE OVER ELECTIONS IN THE MIDTERM, 2022 WOULD CREATE RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU POLITICALLY AS YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024.

SO THAT YOU HAVE FOLKS THAT YOU SUPPORTED AND THEIR ELECTION IS SUPPORTING YOU IN YOUR EFFORT.

THE 3RD BABY REALLY IS MAKING SURE THAT YOUR CAR PAY EVERY DIEM.

AS A FORMER PRESIDENT THERE SOME POLITICAL STATUS THAT DONALD TRUMP WILL ENJOY BUT TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO EITHER POINT OUT WHERE HE FEELS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS COMING UP SHORT OR THAT THERE ARE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS OR ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES THAT HE CAN POINT TO DISTINGUISH HIMSELF.

THE CHALLENGE WITH THESE 3 BABIES IS THE OTHER SIDE HAS BABIES, NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH IS DEMOCRATS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO POKE HOLES IN THE HISTORY OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OR THE VARIOUS THINGS THAT WILL COME OUT NOW AS A RESULT OF THE PRESIDENT HAVING LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE SECOND BABY THAT IS FIGHTING THE TRIPLETS IS REALLY ANY OTHER REPUBLICAN YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024.

WE'LL SEE HOW ALL THESE BABIES DO OVER TIME, BUT MY MY SENSE OF IT IS THAT DONALD TRUMP IS VERY SERIOUS ABOUT PUTTING TOGETHER THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE NECESSARY TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN IN 2024, HE'S BROUGHT TOGETHER A TEAM, INCLUDING MARK MEADOWS, HIS FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF, AND THEY'RE GOING ABOUT THIS IN A VERY DELIBERATIVE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD WAY.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT.

WHAT IMPACT YOU THINK MITCH, TRUMP WILL HAVE ON THE 2022 ELECTIONS?

I MEAN, IN AN OFF YEAR PARTY OUT OF POWER USUALLY WINS BACK THE HOUSE.

>> THEY USUALLY DO AND I THINK A PRESIDENT TRUMP'S GOING TO HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT HE CERTAINLY HAS SET UP WITHIN THE PAST WEEK THIS NEW WEBSITE 45OFFICE.COM THAT'S GOING TO KEEP HIS NAME EVEN MORE IN THE HEADLINES THAN HE WOULD BE OTHERWISE.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE ALIGNING THEMSELVES WITH DONALD TRUMP, TRYING TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES, THE DEMOCRATS WILL TRY TO TIE ANY REPUBLICAN TO TRUMP, HOPING THAT MIDDLE OF THE ROAD VOTERS WILL BE TURNED OFF.

SO HE'S GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER RIGHT NOW I THINK IT'S HARD TO SAY HOW THAT IMPACT'S GOING TO PLAY OUT.

>> A LOT OF THIS WILL COME DOWN TO THE ECONOMY WON'T IT NELSON?

>> WELL, I THINK IT WILL AND I THINK THAT THE CHOICES THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ARE MAKING IN CONGRESS ARE MAKING, THEIR TAX AND SPEND POLICIES MAY NOT WEAR VERY WELL IN THE OFF YEAR ELECTION.

AND OF COURSE THE OTHER ISSUE THAT TRUMP IS DEALING WITH OR IS HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND HE ACTUALLY MADE A REQUEST THAT THE RNC AND THE SENATORIAL AND HOUSE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEES STOP USING HIS LIKENESS AND NAME IN APPEALS.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A QUITE THE INTERESTING STRUCTURE HEADING INTO 2022, WHICH YOU NORMALLY THINK WOULD BE A VERY STRONG YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> DONNA CLOSE THIS OUT ABOUT 40 SECONDS.

PUT IT IN CONTEXT PLEASE.

>> SURE I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE ARE STILL KIND OF REELING FROM 2020 FROM THE ELECTIONS FROM COVID ALL THOSE THINGS ARE SEEN GAS PRICES GO UP, PERHAPS THEY HAVEN'T SEEN WHAT THEY WANTED OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND CAPITOL HILL THAT THEY WERE HOPING THAT THEY WERE GOT GOING TO SEE.

THOSE WHO WERE ON THE FENCE GOING INTO THE 2020 ELECTION MIGHT BE LOOKING AT 2022 AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING BACK SOME BALANCE TO WHAT THEY WERE HOPING WOULD BE THE TICKET IN WASHINGTON.

AND SO I THINK THAT WILL SERVE REPUBLICANS BUT ANY REPUBLICAN THAT DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM DONALD TRUMP REALLY DOES SO AT THEIR OWN PERIL, HE'S GOT QUITE A MACHINE, SOCIAL MEDIA, MARKETING AND OF COURSE FUNDRAISING.

>> OK LET'S MOVE ON TO THE MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK MItCH.

>> IT'S BEEN WELL REPORTED THAT THE POLLING SHOWS REPUBLICAN MEN MAKE UP THE DEMOGRAPHIC, THAT'S LEAST LIKELY AND INTERESTED IN GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE, BUT A COUPLE OF HIGH-PROFILE REPUBLICANS HAVE COME OUT TO TRY TO SAY, 'OK REPUBLICAN MEN GO AHEAD GET THAT SHOT,' WE SAW THAT MITCH MCCONNELL WHO'S THE LEADER OF THE SENATE REPUBLICANS ON CAPITOL HILL HAS SAID THAT PEOPLE SHOULD GET THE VACCINE.

IN NORTH CAROLINA, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN PARTY MICHAEL WHATLEY TOLD REPORTERS THAT HE'S READY TO GET HIS SHOT AND ENCOURAGED EVERYONE TO GO AHEAD AND GET THAT SHOT AS SOON AS THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.

SO WE SEE SOME ACTION FROM MEMBERS OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC THAT IS SEEN AS LEAST LIKELY TO WANT THE VACCINE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO AHEAD AND DO IT.

>> DONNA UNDERREPORTED.

>> SO UNDERREPORTED I THINK ABOUT IT WAS A REAL LOSS FOR MY FAMILY.

BEVERLY CLEARY, SHE PASSED AWAY.

HER BOOKS, SHE SOLD 90 MILLION BOOKS AND PASSED AWAY AT OVER A 100 YEARS OLD THIS WEEK.

SHE WILL CERTAINLY BE MISSED HIM AND I HOPE HER BOOKS STAY IN PAPER BOOK FORM FOR ALL OF OUR KIDS TO BE READING.

>> JOE UNDERREPORTED >> CHUCK SCHUMER SENATOR FROM NEW YORK, THE LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATS IN THE U.S. SENATE ANNOUNCED THAT HE PLANS TO SPEND THE CONGRESSIONAL SPRING RECESS BACK IN NEW YORK DOING RETAIL CAMPAIGNING.

NOW YOU THINK OF SOMEONE IN THAT POSITION, A REAL POWERFUL LEADERSHIP POSITION IN CONGRESS BEING IN SOLID STANDING BUT I THINK SCHUMER RECOGNIZES THE DIVISIONS WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, HE'S GOT TO SPEND SOME TIME BACK HOME MAKING SURE HIS LEFT FLANK IS NOT EXPOSED AS HE LOOKS FOR HIS OWN REELECTION CAMPAIGN COMING UP THIS NEXT CYCLE.

>> DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE AOC CHALLENGING HIM SIR?

>> I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY WHAT'S MOTIVATING THIS MORE THAN ANYTHING BUT IF IT'S NOT AOC, IT MAYBE SOME OTHER MORE PROGRESSIVE LEFT WING DEMOCRAT IS LOOKING TO CHALLENGE SCHUMER IN THE ELECTION.

>> YOU KNOW THAT'S REALLY SOMETHING THAT WE RARELY SEE WITH THE LEADER OF THAT STATURE.

>> WELL YOU'RE GOING TO ERIC CANTOR WAS REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER IN THE U.S. HOUSE FACED A CHALLENGE FROM THE RIGHT FLANK AND LOST HIS RACE AND SO I THINK THEY'RE ALWAYS IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS BOTH PARTIES KEEPING AN EYE OUT TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T FORGET THINGS BACK HOME TO THEIR OWN PERIL AT THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> NELSON UNDERREPORTED.

>> THE FILIBUSTER IS MISUNDERSTOOD.

THE U.S. SENATE OPERATES BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT MEANING THAT MOTIONS MOVE FORWARD AS LONG AS THE SENATOR DOESN'T OBJECT.

SO IF ONE OR MORE PLACES A HOLD ON A PROCEEDING DEBATE DOESN'T PLACE A HOLD ON PROCEEDINGS.

DEBATE CONTINUES UNTIL THERE IS AN AGREEMENT REACHED OR A CLOTURE MOTION OFFERED.

SO THE STANDARD FOR CLOTURE WASN'T ESTABLISHED TIL 1917 AT ABOUT 2 THIRDS OF THE SENATE'S VOTING.

IT WAS LOWERED TO THREE FIFTHS IN 1975 WHICH ESSENTIALLY 60 VOTES NOW IN 2013.

SENATE LEADER HARRY REID LOWERED CLOTURE FOR PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS TO A SIMPLE MAJORITY AND THEN LATER SENATE LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL EXTENDED THAT TO SUPREME COURT NOMINATIONS.

SO IF CLOTURE IS CHANGED TO A SIMPLE MAJORITY FOR ALL MOTIONS THE SENATE WILL CEASE TO EXIST AS THE WORLD'S GREATEST DELIBERATIVE BODY, IT WILL BECOME FAR MORE CAPTIVE OF THE HOUSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN BOTH ARE CONTROLLED BY ONE PARTY AND THAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY END THE SENATE ORIGINAL ROLE OF PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE MINORITY.

>> BIDEN HAS SIGNALED, HASN'T HE NELSON, THAT HE WANTS SOME SORT OF REFORM.

>> HE HAD SENT SIGNALS OF SOME SORT OF REFORM THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

BUT IF THEY MOVE FOR REFORM THEY REALLY THREATEN THE PURPOSE OF THE SENATE AND THE POWER OF THE INDIVIDUAL SENATORS IN THE BODY AND I THINK A NUMBER OF THE DEMOCRATS SENATORS ARE THINKING TWICE ABOUT THAT.

>> THE KEYS ON THAT ARE THE TWO SENATORS SINEMA FROM ARIZONA AND MANCHIN FROM WEST VIRGINIA.

>> YES, SIR, I THINK THEY ARE THE 2 KEY SENATORS.

BUT YOU ALSO SEE SOME OTHER DEMOCRATS SENATORS IN THE BACKGROUND TALKING ABOUT BACKING AWAY AND NOT PRESSURING SCHUMER TO MAKE A CHANGE.

I DO THINK THIS RELATES TO A POTENTIAL PRIMARY FOR SCHUMER FROM THE LEFT.

>> OKAY, LET'S GO TO LIGHTNING ROUND.

WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK MITCH?

>> WHO'S UP THE OPERATORS OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

WE SAW BILL THAT MOVED THROUGH THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE THAT WOULD FORCE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO PAY A PENALTY 5% PERHAPS IF THEY DON'T GET THE MONEY TO THE CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT'S DUE TO THOSE CHARTER SCHOOLS ON TIME.

THAT ACTUALLY GOT A UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE IN THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE SO THAT'S INTERESTING TO SEE.

MY WHO'S DOWN, GERALD HEGE THE FORMER DAVIDSON COUNTY SHERIFF.

YOU REMEMBER HE RAN INTO LEGAL TROUBLES HAD TO PLEAD GUILTY BUT THEN AFTER HE DID HIS TIME, HE RAN FOR OFFICE AGAIN A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID THAT WAS A BAD IDEA WE ACTUALLY PASSED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT SAID FELONS COULD RUN AGAIN FOR SHERIFF IF THEY HAVE BEEN FELONS.

THERE'S A BILL IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY NOW THAT WOULD SAY HEY YOU CAN EVEN DO THIS IF YOU GET YOUR FELONY EXPUNGED.

GERALD HEGE'S NAME DIDN'T COME UP, BUT HE WAS ON THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT.

>> DONNA WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK.

>> UP I'M GOING TO SAY OF FOLKS WHO WANT TO HAVE THEIR KIDS AND TEENAGERS VACCINATED PFIZER HAS SAID THAT THEY FOUND THAT THEIR VACCINE IS EFFECTIVE AND SAFE IN ADOLESCENTS, IT'S NOT QUITE APPROVED FOR THOSE UNDER 16, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THAT MIGHT BE COMING DOWN THE ROAD.

DOWN I'M GOING TO SAY PROPONENTS OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

THE 9TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS IN CALIFORNIA RULED THIS WEEK THAT STATES MAY RESTRICT OPEN CARRY LAWS AND NOT BE RUNNING AFOUL OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

>> JOE WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK MY FRIEND?

>> WHO'S UP THE CONFERENCE BOARD RELEASED THE LATEST FINDINGS FOR THE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX AND SAW THE GREATEST LEAP, ALMOST 20 POINTS UPWARD SINCE 2003 WE'RE STILL OVER 20 POINTS DOWN IN TERMS OF CONSUMER CONFIDENCE SINCE THE START OF COVID-19, BUT IT BODES WELL FOR AMERICAN CONSUMERS ARE FEELING SLIGHTLY MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

WHO'S DOWN?

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, MODERATES IN CONGRESS, BUT PRINCIPALLY THOSE DEMOCRATS, WHO FEEL A LITTLE NEGLECTED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

RON KLAIN, THE CHIEF OF STAFF HAS BEEN MEETING WITH THE MORE PROGRESSIVE WING AOC AND SOME OF THE OTHERS IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF THOSE DEMOCRATIC MODERATES WHO SAY 'HEY DON'T NEGLECT US', BUT I'M AFRAID ONE OF THE SAD TALES OF BEING A MODERATE IS YOU HAVE A TENDENCY TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED ALL THE TIME.

>> WELL THEY'RE NOT GETTING AN AUDIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT ARE THEY?

>> YOU KNOW, AND I THINK IT'S IT'S PROBABLY A KEEN OBSERVATION IF BIDEN JUST ASSUMES THAT THOSE DEMOCRATS IN THE MIDDLE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATION IN ALL OF ITS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS.

I THINK THEY'LL PROBABLY REMEDY THIS.

THERE WILL BE SOME HIGH-PROFILE MEETINGS.

BUT IT DOES SHOW THE FRACTURE WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK.

NELSON?

>> WHO'S UP KATHERINE TAI, THE NEW U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE IS THE ONLY BIDEN OFFICIAL TO GAIN UNANIMOUS CONFIRMATION SO FAR.

HER PARENTS GREW UP IN TAIWAN.

AND SHE HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED POTENTIAL NEW TARIFFS ON EU COUNTRIES OVER DIGITAL SERVICE TAXES AND IS IN NO HURRY TO LOWER TARIFFS ON CHINA.

WHO'S DOWN, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

A 319 PAGE REPORT FAILED TO ANSWER WHEN WHERE AND HOW COVID-19 BEGAN SPREADING AND I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE WATCH THE FEBRUARY 2ND FRONTLINE PRESENTATION 'CHINA'S COVID SECRETS.'

>> OKAY HEADLINE NEXT WEEK QUICKLY MITCH.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS JOY SPRING BREAK BEFORE DIGGING INTO BUDGET DETAILS.

>> DONNA HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> COVID VACCINE BECOMES AVAILABLE TO ALL ADULTS ON APRIL 7TH.

>> JOE HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> NELSON DOLLAR DECLINES TO COMMENT ON WHETHER HE'S GOING TO FORT LAUDERDALE FOR RECESS.

[LAUGHTER] >> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK, NELSON.

>> HAPPY EASTER.

>> OKAY.

GREAT JOB PANEL.

THAT'S IT FOR US, THANKS FOR WATCHING HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON FRONT ROW.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR FRONT ROW IS PROVIDED BY: ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY: FUNDING FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND PROVIDED BY: A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT: ♪